(CNN) – Former U.S. senator and Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards admitted to an extramarital affair in an interview with ABC News, the network reported Friday. He denied being the father of the woman's child, as had been alleged in tabloid reports.

Asked by a reporter late last month whether he had provided any financial support to Rielle Hunter, or to Andrew Young - the former Edwards aide who claimed paternity of the child - Edwards replied that "I have no idea what you are asking about, I have responded to consistently to these tabloid allegations by saying I don't respond to these lies." He also said again that he had not lied during his presidential campaign when he denied an affair with Hunter.

Speaking to the network for a story to be aired Friday night, Edwards acknowledged the affair with 42-year-old Rielle Hunter, which began after she was hired to make documentary videos for his campaign, ABC said.

He said he has not taken a paternity test, but that the timing of the affair rules out the possibility that he could be her baby girl's father.

soundoff(228 Responses)

JT

Ummmm Joe – a resume booster for him as Dem??? Excuse me, but there are quite a number of Repubs out there just as guilty I'm afraid – or have you forgotten?
– its all about power and ego and being male, sadly this has gone to his head and apparently the brain falls out and this is the result.

August 8, 2008 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

Alex

Following in the footsteps of everyone's favorite democrat....

August 8, 2008 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

lefty

What is the matter with these men? Are their egos so big that they think they will never get caught? Shame on you John Edwards – and here I thought you were one of the "good guys"!

August 8, 2008 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

California Voter

Not surprised in the least, these kinds of things are a part of life, unfortunately.

August 8, 2008 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

chewryl

Gosh he was so devoted tohis wife, marrying her agian, having children late in life. what a sham he was

August 8, 2008 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

BR

Another hypocrite liberal. And in other news water is wet

August 8, 2008 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

conservative

Must be a republican in disguise! Dems are so saintly or so we are to believe!

August 8, 2008 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |

Tell me it is not SO!!!

John Edwards...Oh No!! .......John McCain cheated on his Sick Wife Carrol and left her for Cindy ......John now you know you need your A_S
Kicked .......and Your wife is sick ...Let's Call em JOHN JOHN
***************************************************************************
I don't believe Obama will cheat on Michelle...... she would put him in a headlock and he knows it

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Michael "C" Lorton, Virginia

CNN slams Edwards! Makes him out to be the devil, with horns and hoofs. But his wife loves him, and so did all his mistresses.

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Ron

OK Folks lets move on. People need to weigh the good against the bad.
While this situation is not trivial, let us extend our prayers to his family.

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Julie

Hmmm...a sexual scandal that DOESN'T involve a Republican!!! Oh, and of course the participants were of opposite sexes – that's how you could tell he was a Democrat and not a Republican.

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Jeff

Leave it too a successful Democrat to cheat on his wife...
Leave it to a successful Republican to solicit sex in a bathroom...

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

mike

This is disappointing, and I expect Edwards to kind of disappear for a while like Eliot Spitzer.

This will, and should not, have any effect on the Obama campaign or Election.

Wish Edwards' wife and kids well..

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Jay Graham, Dallas, TX

As long as Elizabeth won't mind, what's the big deal? This is a free country. Let Elizabeth deal with her husband. Life goes on!

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Anonymous

his poor wife does not deserve this. That is no man who can do this to his sick wife.

He is a fraud.

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

NYC

I totally agree with Generation X's comment. On to real news please.

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

David in NC

... another one who can't keep his pants zipped.

I'm shocked! ... shocked!

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Nancy TC

John Edwards, you Sir are a disgrace. Shame on you.

After all you have put your family through with your losing runs for the presidency.

It is time for you to get over yourself. You may think you are a good looking man, but that is all you have going for you.

God bless your WIFE and CHILDREN.

They don't deserve this type of news and you have shown that you are an ignorant and careless man.

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

wonderingaround

big deal...what does this have to do with actual politics.

this is between him and his wife, and has nothing to do with what kind of a leader he is.

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Kurt

what's that sound ????? Its John Edwards droping off The VP list

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

warren

Who cares about his love life. I want someone in the White House who will make good decisions regarding this country. Isn't that what matters? Many of our Founding Fathers had some skeletons as well. Do you wish Jefferson had not been president?

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

dave

Another of my favorites has fallen from grace. Seek forgiveness from your very special wife, John. Clean up your act. Come clean on all of this. disappointing.

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

BEX

It's sad when the Star catches this before CNN.

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Down with Obama

Why do you think he endorsed Obama....blackmail!!

August 8, 2008 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |

Stan

John in CA - Why would a John Edward affair make you wonder about skeletons in BARACK's closet? That doesn't make sense. It's just as likely there are skeletons in John McCains closet. To Joe - why do you say it boosts his Democratic resume? What about all the Republican sex scandals of late; Larry Craig, Mike Foley, etc.?